TriHEX (tm) heat exchanger

ABSTRACT

A device for the exchange of heat between one or more fluids. This invention has three side walls ( 10 ) and two end flanges ( 12 ) forming the main body of the invention. An inlet conduit ( 22 ) brings a fluid to the inlet port ( 20 ) situated on the invention. An outlet port ( 24 ) allows the fluid to pass out of the invention and into an outlet conduit ( 26 ). Fins ( 16 ) increase the surface area and partitions ( 18 ), as well as adding surface area, provide a means of directing the flow of fluid through the invention. The invention may be enclosed by exterior walls ( 14 ) to form auxiliary heat transfer areas ( 28 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/725,755, filed Oct. 11, 2005 by the inventors.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to heat exchangers, devices that transfer heat between fluids without the fluids coming into direct contact with each other.

2. Prior Art

A heat exchanger must have a maximum surface area to transfer the maximum amount of heat from one substance to another. Conventional heat exchangers, such as U.S. Pat. No. 7,111,671 Heat Exchanger Having Air Drying Device to Symonds (2006), have surfaces that are smooth, limiting the amount of surface area from which heat can be transferred.

Flat plate heat exchangers such as U.S. Pat. No. 7,108,054 Heat Exchanger to Dilly, Beldam, and Ayers (2006), have a plurality of plates. This increases the surface area due to the number of plates contained in this invention but the plates still have smooth surfaces. Again, this limits the amount of heat that can be exchanged.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,078 Heat Exchanger Tube Structured on Both Sides and a Method For Its Manufacture to Beutler, et al. (2002) attempts to increase surface area by producing grooves on the inside and outside of the heat exchanger tube. This approach does increase surface area but only marginally.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,096,932 Multi-Fluid Heat Exchanger and Method of Making Same to Scoville et al. (2006) uses a number of slots, headers and baffles to increase the surface area of said heat exchanger. Whereas this method does indeed increase the surface area, it is also complex and tedious to build.

An attempt to increase surface area by forcing a fluid through an enclosed tube that has been bent into several curves received U.S. Pat. No. 7,096,933 Furnace Heat Exchanger to Zia et al. (2006). This increased the surface are heat exchanger to a minimum. This embodiment increases surface area and serves to keep the heat exchanger in a relatively compact design. It still suffers from limited surface for transfer of heat since its surface is smooth.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Several objects and advantages of this invention are:

-   -   (a) to provide a heat exchanger that has the flexibility to be         of any size desired;     -   (b) to provide a heat exchanger that has a significantly         increased surface area for greatly improved heat transfer         capability between fluids;     -   (c) to provide a versatile heat exchanger to fulfill a vast         array of applications and configurations;     -   (d) to provide a heat exchanger that can be used for extremely         high fluid temperatures and fluid pressures, and a multitude of         fluids;     -   (e) to provide a heat exchanger that can be used as a stand         alone heat exchanger or used in a plethora of combinations such         as, but not limited to:         -   (1) connected end to end;         -   (2) connected side by side;         -   (3) connected one on top of the other; or         -   (4) connected from the outlet of one heat exchanger to the             inlet of another heat exchanger;     -   (f) to provide a heat exchanger that can also serve as a fluid         mixer;     -   (g) to provide a heat exchanger that can be used to transfer         heat from one fluid to another or plurality of other fluids;     -   (h) to provide a heat exchanger that can be used to transfer         heat from a plurality of fluids to another single fluid;     -   (i) to provide a heat exchanger that can be used to transfer         heat from a plurality of fluids to a plurality of fluids; and     -   (j)to provide a heat exchanger that can be easily built.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention a heat transfer device having three side walls 10, two end flanges 12, an inlet port 20 and outlet port 26 or a plurality thereof and an inlet conduit 22 and outlet conduit 24 or a plurality thereof. The invention may also consist of one fin 16 or a plurality thereof, one partition 18 or a plurality thereof, and/or one or a plurality of exterior walls 14 attached to the exterior of invention. The figures listed below may or may not be included in each embodiment of the heat transfer device.

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

In the drawings, figures may be defined by a number or a number with an alphabetical suffix or several alphabetical suffixes to help clarify the construction of said invention.

FIGS. 10, 10A and 10B show a Side Wall with each edge delineated for easy reference during explanation of construction of the invention. The Side Walls form the main body of the invention.

FIG. 12 and 12A, and show an End Flange with each edge delineated for easy reference during explanation of construction of the invention. The End Flanges are used to enclose the Side Walls.

FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D and 14E show an Exterior Wall with each edge delineated for easy reference during explanation of construction of invention. The Exterior Walls may be used to contain fluid outside the main body if desired but not mandatory for this invention.

FIG. 16 shows a Fin that may be attached to the Side Wall or to the End Flange, or to said Exterior Wall. Said Fin is used to greatly increase the surface of the invention but may be deleted if the application requires such deletion.

FIG. 18 shows a Partition that may be attached to the Side Wall and/or to the End Flange. The Partition is used to direct fluid flowing through the invention.

FIG. 20 shows an Inlet Port to allow fluid to flow into the invention.

FIG. 22 shows an Inlet Conduit to allow fluid to flow to the invention.

FIG. 24 shows an Outlet Port to allow fluid to flow from the invention.

FIG. 26 shows an Outlet Conduit to allow fluid to flow from the invention.

FIG. 28 shows an Auxiliary Heat Exchange Area for further heat exchange between fluids.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10 sidewall -   12 end flange -   14 exterior wall -   16 fin -   18 partition -   20 inlet port -   22 inlet conduit -   24 outlet port -   26 outlet conduit -   28 auxiliary heat treatment area

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 1A AND 1B—PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment of heat transfer device is illustrated in FIG. 1A (exploded view) and FIG. 1B constructed view. Placement of Inlet Port 20, Inlet Conduit 22, Outlet Port 24, and Outlet Conduit 26 are shown in these positions for demonstration purposes only but may be places anywhere on the heat transfer device that is necessary for the individual application thereof.

Side Walls 10 should be constructed of a material that fits, but is not limited to, the following criteria:

-   -   (1) non-porous;     -   (2) easily conduct heat;     -   (3) ability to withstand extremes of, but not limited to, the         following:         -   (a) temperature; and         -   (b) pressure.

Side Walls 10 can be of any length, width, and thickness to successfully fulfill the function for which it is designed by the individual or individuals manufacturing the heat transfer device. This embodiment of the heat transfer device will use Side Walls 10 of equal length, width, and thickness to simplify details of construction.

Three Side Walls 10 are to be attached to each other along Edge10A at a 60 degree inward angle from each other. The Side Walls 10 may be attached by any means necessary including, but not limited to, welding or brazing. These Side Walls 10, when attached as described, form a hollow, triangular shaped tube.

Two End Flanges 12 are attached to the open ends (edges 10B) of the heat transfer device at edges 12A by any means necessary including, but not limited to, welding or brazing. The addition of the two End Flanges 12 encloses the aforementioned Side Walls 10 to form a fluid tight container.

Inlet Conduit 22 brings a fluid to Inlet Port 20 through which the fluid flows into the heat exchange device. Outlet Port 24 allows the fluid to flow out of the heat exchange device through the Outlet Conduit 26.

Operation—FIGS. 10, 12, 20, 22, 24, 26

The manner of using the heat transfer device is to run a fluid to the heat through Inlet Port 20. The Inlet Port 20 may be placed anywhere on the heat transfer device desired, but for this embodiment it is placed on the End Flange 12. Presuming that the fluid being passed through the heat transfer device is hotter than the heat transfer device, the heat transfer device will absorb heat from the fluid and in turn be heated itself. This heat will then be transferred to the surrounding fluid, thereby heating the surrounding fluid.

Conversely, if the fluid being passed through the heat transfer device is colder than the heat transfer device, the heat transfer device will be cooled. Any fluid that surrounds the heat transfer device will be cooled as well.

This embodiment is very simplistic in design. The fluid passing through it will contact the heat transfer device only on the Side Walls 10 and End Flanges 12. This embodiment allows for limited contact between the two fluids (the fluid inside the heat transfer device and the fluid on the outside of the heat exchange device).

FIGS. 16, 18—Additional Embodiments

Additional embodiments are shown by adding FIGS. 16 and 18 to the preferred embodiment above. The additional embodiments are employed to provide vastly improved contact between the fluids. This allows for excellent heat transfer and dramatically enhances the efficiency of the heat transfer device.

Fins 16 may be attached to the Side Walls 10, either internally or externally, but not necessarily both. Fins 16 may be attached to the End Flanges 12, either internally or externally, but not necessarily both. Fins 16 are attached by, but limited to, welding or brazing. This allows the heat to transfer from the Side Walls 10 and/or End Flanges 12 into Fins 16. Fins 16 add substantial surface area to the heat transfer device thus increasing its efficiency profoundly.

Partitions 18 may be attached to the Side Walls 10, either internally or externally, but not necessarily both. Partitions 18 may be attached to End Flanges 12, either internally or externally, but not necessarily both. Partitions 18 are attached by, but not limited to, welding or brazing.

Partitions 18 act to further enhance the surface area of the heat transfer device by adding additional surface area. Partitions 18 also act as guides to direct the flow of fluids. For example, Partitions 18 may be placed inside the heat transfer device to direct the flow of fluids inside said device to increase the amount of time the fluid is actually contained within said device. Increasing the time inside said device, multiplies the exposure to the surface area of said device. Thus enhancing the performance and efficiency thereof.

Additionally, Partitions 18 placed in a staggers sequence inside the heat transfer device will cause a turbulence to be produced within said device. This turbulence is useful as, but not limited to, agitating the fluid to expose more of the fluid to the surfaces of the heat transfer device or to mix two or a plurality of fluids while said fluids are either receiving or liberating heat.

Partitions 18 may be attached to the exterior of the heat transfer device as well. Partitions 18 placed on the exterior of said device act to control the flow of fluids on the outside of said device as well as adding a considerable amount of the surface area necessary for the successful operation of said device.

FIGS. 14 and 28—Other Embodiment

Another embodiment of the invention would be to add an additional area for heat transfer. This would be attached to one Side Wall 10 or a plurality thereof. This area will hereinafter be referred to as Auxiliary Heat Transfer Area 28. The Auxiliary Heat Transfer Area 28, in this embodiment, will have Exterior Walls 14 attached to one Side Wall 10, but could be attached to two or three of the Side Walls 10 as necessary for the particular application. The Side Wall 10 that the Exterior Walls 14 are attached to form the base of the Auxiliary Heat Transfer Area 28.

The Auxiliary Heat Transfer Area 28 is constructed using Exterior Walls 14A and 14C which are the same length as the Side Wall 10 to which it is attached. Exterior Walls 14B and 14D have a width the same as the width of the Side Wall 10 to which it is attached. The height of the Auxiliary Heat Transfer Area 28 can be of any size to suit the application.

Exterior Walls 14A and 14C are attached at the edge of and along the side of the Side Wall 10 with the same length and perpendicular thereto. Exterior Walls 14B and 14D are attached at the edge of and along the end of the Side Wall 10 with the same width and perpendicular thereto. The result of the above is a box or enclosure completely around the Side Wall 10 to which it is attached.

Another Exterior Wall 14E with dimensions equal to the Side Wall 10 (to which the aforementioned Exterior Walls 14A thru 14D have been attached) will be utilized as a cover the Auxiliary Heat Transfer Area 28. The result will be a completely fluid tight enclosure.

Exterior Walls 14 are attached to the Side Walls 10 by any means necessary that may include, but or not limited to, welding or brazing.

The Auxiliary Heat Transfer Area 28 may be have Fins 16 or Partitions 18 attached to the inside or outside.

Obviously, an Inlet Conduit 22 or plurality thereof will be needed to bring a fluid or plurality of fluids to Auxiliary Heat Treatment Area 28. An Inlet Port 20 or plurality thereof, will be necessary for the fluid to inter the Auxiliary Heat Transfer Area 28. An Outlet Port 24 or plurality thereof for the fluid to exit said Area 28 and Outlet Conduit 26 or plurality thereof to carry the fluid away from said Area 28.

Further clarification, as requested by your Confirmation No. 5753, Formalities Letter, for drawings 13 of 14 and 14 of 14. This is another embodiment of the basic claimed invention.

Partitions (18A), (18B), and (18C) are attached by any appropriate means including, but not limited to, brazing or welding. For clarity, the left side of the drawing 14 of 14, will be considered the entrance, or proximal, side. The right side of the drawing 14 of 14, will be considered the exit, or distal, side.

Partitions (18A) and (18B) are attached along one side so that they form a one hundred twenty (120) degree angle to each other by a means that allows the proximal ends of Partitions (18A) and (18B) each to be attached to the End Flange (12). Partition (18A) is shorter (approximately 90% (per cent) the length of FIG. 18B) than Partition 18B. Thus, only Partition (18B) is attached on the distal end to End Flange (12). Partition 18C is attached to the other Partitions (18A) and (18B) to form a one hundred twenty (120) degree angle from both Partitions (18A) and (18B). Partition (18C) is also shorter (approximately 90% (per cent) the length of Partition (18B) than Partition (18B). However, the distal end of Partition (18C) is attached to the End Flange (12) but not the proximal end.

For clarity, Partition (18B) and (18A) are attached only to the proximal End Flange (12). Partitions (18B) and (18A) are attached only to the distal End Flange (12). Three Side Walls 10)are attached by any means appropriate including, but not limited to, brazing or welding to the End Flanges (12) and the outer edge of Partitions (18A), (18B), and (18C). Thus forming an enclosed heat transfer device in which the fluid makes three passes while inside said device.

The flow of the fluid or fluids can be explained as follows. A fluid is brought to the heat exchange device via the Inlet Conduit (22) and allowed to pass into said device through the Inlet Conduit (20). The fluid then enters a space formed by Partitions (18A) and (18B) and is contained by the proximal End Flange (12) and the space created by Partitions (18A) and (18B). Said fluid or fluids flow into the space created by the gap on the distal end of the Partition (18A) because the distal End Flange (12) prevents said fluid or fluids from leaving said device. Said fluid or fluids flow toward the proximal End Flange (12). Here said fluid or fluids flow into the space created by the gap in the proximal end of Partition (18C) because the proximal End Flange (12) prevents said fluid or fluids from leaving said device. Said fluid or fluids continue to flow through the space created by Partitions (18B) and (18C) until said fluid comes to the distal End Flange (12). Said fluid or fluids then exit said device through the Outlet Port (24) and directed away from said device via the Outlet Conduit (26).

Advantages

From the description above, a number of advantages of our heat transfer device become evident:

-   -   (a) The invention is completely adaptable to a vast array of         industrial, commercial, and residential applications.     -   (b) Heat may be transferred into or out of almost any fluid.     -   (c) A wide assortment of materials may be used for the         construction of this invention.     -   (d) This invention is simple in design and construction.     -   (e) This invention dramatically increased the surface area         available for the transfer of heat into or out of a fluid.     -   (f) This invention is a direct replacement for many devices of         its type.

Thereby greatly enhancing the functionality of the device into which the previous heat transfer device was installed.

Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope

Accordingly, the reader will see that the heat transfer capabilities of this invention far superior to any device of its type in use today. The device can be:

-   -   (a) built with heavy materials for the boiler making industry.     -   (b) built with light materials for the automobile or air         conditioning industry.     -   (c) able to mix fluids as well as heat or cool them.     -   (d) designed to have the capability of transferring heat between         one or many fluids, new applications can be developed that were         not available in the past.     -   (e) scaled up or down depending of application.     -   (f) replacement of old, less efficient heat transfer devices.

Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the Fins 16 or the Partitions 18 could be attached to other Fins 16 or Partitions 18 of other heat exchange devices. Fins 16 could be attached to the

Because of the flexibility inherent in this invention, an almost unlimited number of embodiments could be conceived and produced. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. 

1. A heat exchanger comprising at least one fluid inlet conduit, one fluid inlet port, one fluid outlet port, one fluid outlet conduit, three side walls, and two end flanges.
 2. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a fin or a plurality of fins to increase the surface area of said heat exchanger,
 3. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a partition or a plurality of partitions to increase the surface area and/or to direct the flow of a fluid or a plurality of fluids within said heat exchanger.
 4. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary heat exchange area comprising at least four exterior walls and a cover to enclose one or a plurality of fluids for further heat exchange, at least one fluid inlet conduit, at least one fluid inlet port, at least one fluid outlet port, and at lease one fluid outlet conduit. 